Goals!

Happy 2025! The past year has whizzed by—who knew, this time last year, that I would own a horse? My dream horse, my perfect sweet unicorn? Not I!

I love him so much. My sister and I have been making good progress in our flat lessons, getting him fitter, and therefore, more balanced. He has learned about bend/counterbend (needs work), lengthening and shortening in the walk and trot (not bad), and even some decent canters. Our coach loves to do pole exercises, which is helping him learn about rhythm, using his body, and where to put his legs. We even did some canter poles, which is a first tiny step toward jumping!

We are, in fact, doing a few private lessons this month to introduce him to jumping. He got to do a free jump session just for fun at the end of December, and after stumbling over and/or ploughing through the first couple times, he found his groove and wow, he is so cute! He literally clicked his heels over the oxer!

He did his first jump lesson under saddle with my sister, and he was a quick learner. Once he figured out what the task was, he hopped over some cross rails and a little vertical, cantered out and jumped another one.

So: GOALS. It’s going well, and it’s too soon to be sure, but by late spring/early summer, I’d like to be able to pull off a decent EV85 dressage test and jump a tiny course. Maybe a starter level event? I don’t want to put any pressure on him (or myself), but I feel like this is possible. I love him so much (his post-ride cuddles are outstanding!), but I’m excited to see what he’s capable of. He’s not a jock like Hawk was, more of a thinker. I’m going to have to learn how to train him differently to match his artist’s temperament, and so far it feels like a good fit for us all.

Lots to learn, but looking forward to our 2025!